Lawyer: Man shot former NFL running back Joe McKnight in self-defense

GRETNA - A lawyer for the man accused of fatally shooting Joe McKnight says his client shot the former NFL running back in self-defense.

In an email sent to The Associated Press late Thursday, Matthew Goetz wrote that "information provided from our sources" indicate the 28-year-old McKnight was shot while threatening 55-year-old Ronald Gasser and trying to climb into Gasser's car through the passenger-side window. He did not elaborate on the sources or immediately return a phone call Friday.

Gasser was charged Wednesday with second-degree murder, which carries a mandatory life sentence.

Authorities have said both men were driving erratically and yelling at each other before they stopped.